AN 11-year-old Worcestershire schoolgirl has returned home from the national side saddle championships with four trophies, including junior novice reserve champion rider.

Jessica Thomas was competing in the under-14s section of the National Side Saddle Show at Addington Manor in Buckinghamshire.

Her success was remarkable as it was the first big show for Jessica’s five-year-old pony Precious Gem – who certainly lived up to her stable name Star – despite never before having stayed away from home or experiencing such a busy environment.

“We didn’t even get a side saddle until May and it was a real race to accumulate the 10 points we needed to qualify,” said Jessica’s mum Julie Thomas, who runs Wards Farm Equestrian, near Hanbury.

“We went to the national show to get experience, never expecting to win anything, but all credit to the pony, Jessica and her side-saddle trainer Peta Roberts, whose own 14-year-old daughter Georgie won the junior open rider championship.”

After her dressage, turn-out and jumping, Jessica returned home with two sashes and four trophies – the Stanier Trophy, the Seamus Cup, the Schaible Cup and the Clippersharp Trophy – after winning the working hunter pony not exceeding 15hh, being the highest placed pony not exceeding 13hh and reserve champion for both the novice young rider and junior novice rider.

She was also a member of the winning show-jumping team.

Julie added: “Star really is an exceptional pony. Jessica joins in Peta’s side saddle lessons at my riding school and I teach her the disciplines with a leg each side.

“The pair have developed a real bond despite their tender ages and did exceptionally well against stiff competition from the UK and abroad.”